Click through to see how many cases of the flu were reported in each Conn. county from

Aug. 27, 2017, to Feb. 24, 2018...

Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Click through to see how many cases of the flu were reported in each Conn. county from

Aug. 27, 2017, to Feb. 24, 2018...

Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Daniel Acker

Image 2 of 25

Fairfield County

2,158 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Fairfield County

2,158 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: AFP Creative

Image 3 of 25

New Haven County

2,160 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

New Haven County

2,160 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Getty Images

Image 4 of 25

Litchfied County

212 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Litchfied County

212 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Getty Images /Cultura Exclusive

Image 5 of 25

Image 6 of 25

Hartford County

1,133 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Hartford County

1,133 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 25

Middlesex County

507 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Middlesex County

507 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Fotolia, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Image 8 of 25

New London County

356 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

New London County

356 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Getty Images, Contributor

Image 9 of 25

Windham County

211 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Windham County

211 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: THOMAS LOHNES

Image 10 of 25

Image 11 of 25

Tolland County

169 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018 Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Tolland County

169 cases of the flu from August 2017 to February 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health

Photo: Ted S. Warren, AP

Image 12 of 25

Image 13 of 25

Make sure you get a good night's sleep. It's crucial for staying healthy and fighting off illness.

Make sure you get a good night's sleep. It's crucial for staying healthy and fighting off illness.

Photo: D-BASE, Getty Images

Image 14 of 25

According to the CDC there is "no scientific evidence" to support the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. Don't even bother wasting your money on them.

According to the CDC there is "no scientific evidence" to support the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. Don't even bother wasting your money on them.

Photo: Eric Audras, Getty Images/Onoky

Image 15 of 25

Image 16 of 25

One of the easiest things you can do to ward off germs is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If those are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do.

One of the easiest things you can do to ward off germs is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If those are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do.

Photo: PhotoAlto/Odilon Dimier, Getty Images/PhotoAlto

Image 17 of 25

The influenza virus can be killed by high heat (over 167 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as by hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and detergents. So keep things clean and freshly washed.

The influenza virus can be killed by high heat (over 167 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as by hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and detergents. So keep things clean and freshly washed.

Photo: GK Hart/Vikki Hart, Getty Images

Image 18 of 25

Another stay healthy tip is to drink plenty of water, both when you're healthy and when you're sick.

Another stay healthy tip is to drink plenty of water, both when you're healthy and when you're sick.

Photo: Eric Audras, Getty Images/Onoky

Image 19 of 25

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Germs are often spread via contact with these areas.

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Germs are often spread via contact with these areas.

Photo: KidStock, Getty Images/Blend Images

Image 20 of 25

Image 21 of 25

If you or a family member has a fever, stay home! The CDC recommends you stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.

If you or a family member has a fever, stay home! The CDC recommends you stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.

Photo: Paul Bradbury, Getty Images/OJO Images RF

Image 22 of 25

Avoid close contact with sick people — the flu is most commonly spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Avoid close contact with sick people — the flu is most commonly spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Photo: Anthony Harvie, Getty Images

Image 23 of 25

During flu season, be sure to clean oft-touched objects like doorknobs, keyboards and phones. Flu germs can linger on hard surfaces such as these for two to eight hours.

During flu season, be sure to clean oft-touched objects like doorknobs, keyboards and phones. Flu germs can linger on hard surfaces such as these for two to eight hours.

Photo: Alan Shortall, Getty Images

Image 24 of 25

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and make sure you throw your used tissues in the trash.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and make sure you throw your used tissues in the trash.

Image 25 of 25

Norwalk 6-year-old dies of flu-related illness

1 / 25

Back to Gallery

NORWALK — A Columbus Magnet School first grader died of flu complications Saturday night, likely making her the second child in the state to die of flu-related illness this season.

Emma Splan, 6, had joined Columbus last year as a kindergartner, said school principal Medard Thomas in a letter to parents and students on Sunday.

“We could always count on Emma constantly doing the right thing at school and thriving,” Thomas stated. “Our hearts go out to her loving parents: Christy Pugh, and David Splan. We are devastated by their loss. This tragedy has brought us unimaginable sorrow and heartache, but as a community, we possess the spirit and fortitude to work through this unspeakably tragic time.”

He wrote that counselors will be available at Columbus Magnet to help children, staff and parents process through this tragedy.

Emma’s death comes roughly a month after that of 10-year-old Nico Mallozzi of New Canaan, who died Jan. 14 of flu-related illness.

The state Department of Public Health could not immediately be reached Sunday evening to confirm whether this is the state’s second flu-related death in a child this season. But, the state’s most recent flu statistics, released Thursday, stated that, as of Feb. 10, there had only been one death of someone aged 5 to 18, presumably Mallozzi’s.

Related Stories

According to the state’s most recent numbers, at least 77 people in Connecticut have died of flu-related illness — the highest number of influenza-associated deaths reported in the past five years.

“Because we are still experiencing widespread influenza actively, it is likely that we will continue to see additional flu-related deaths in the coming weeks,” said DPH Commissioner Raul Pino in Thursday’s release.

In addition to the deaths, a total of 4,915 people have tested positive for the flu this season and 1,638 people had been hospitalized with flu-related illness.

In his letter, Thomas said the school, which will be closed Monday for an event, will undergo a thorough deep-cleaning before reopening on Tuesday and called this season’s flu “relentless.”

“I believe it is crucial for us to find each other for comfort,” wrote Thomas. “We also want our children to have a place to get together and possibly share stories of Emma and to maintain a sense of normalcy for them.”

He said Monday’s event — a skating day at Veteran’s Park — will go on as scheduled.

“I will be there and I could use, and give extra hugs,” Thomas said. “I am positive we will help each other find strength to move onward. In the days ahead, I know our wonderful Columbus community will come together with love and compassion. We will share any information about a service or memorial with you as it becomes available. In the meantime, we will hold sweet Emma and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”

On behalf of the Board of Education, Barbara Meyer-Mitchell said she was “deeply saddened” by Emma’s death and that “the community is just trying to be there for this family right now.”

Emma’s family was reached on Sunday night, but did not want to comment.

A notice on the Norwalk Public Schools website stated that flu has not been widespread in Norwalk, and that the flu shot remains the best course for “preventing and lessening the effect of the flu.” Neither the notice nor Thomas’s letter mentioned whether Emma had gotten the flu shot.

Experts have said that ​anyone experiencing flu signs or symptoms should see their health provider right away. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signs of the flu include fever (though not everyone with the flu will have one), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Although the CDC reports that the flu virus can only live a short time on a surface, last month the Norwalk Public Schools Facilities Department added a more aggressive disinfectant to its school cleaning supplies. School custodians will continue using it over the coming weeks to provide a deep cleaning, with particular attention on “high touch” areas.